I liked this. Being a writer and getting ready to fly from the mountains of Colorado to Virginia to celebrate my 80th birthday next month with my three kids and their families it made me think back to when I was 62 and still going a hundred miles an hour. All I can say is there is a lot of living left to do. Now I find myself feeling a bit rushed to get everything done that I want. Thanks for the good read this early and very chilly Colorado morning.
Those “mysterious aches and pains”. Where do they come from? Where are they going? Does it matter? They disappear when we’re writing. All things become possible. A bat mitzvah at your age? Why not?
Thank you for this window on your journey. “You must be one of those humans,” made me smile — out loud. It is the perfect perspective for us inherently imperfect creatures.
Writing and reading are two of our best “things.” And yes, each day a gift.
Love this...Loving the humans and animals in my life, writing and spending time in nature....really resonates with me. That's what makes us feel young for our age!
So nice to read as my next birthday is 62. I agree about enjoying a bat mitzvah. I remember going my best friend’s bat mitzvah when we were 12. I love that you’re not planning hair color or any surgery. My hair is completely gray, people are saying I look like my mom.
Wonderful responses! I say this only partly because I could have written some of the responses about being older. I, too, am concerned I'll die before my novel is complete. I think when younger people see me, the first quality they register is "old." Sometimes, for split seconds, I see one of my departed cats whisk by or hear a particular meow or even feel a paw stroke my cheek.
Wonderful interview, I am eager to read R.L.’s books. The story of how her mother’s death moved her to not delay her writing dreams, that touched me (my own mother, biggest champion, died last year; I
Think how happy she’d be if I were to realize my dream of publishing a novel). And this resonated too: ‘Aging has taken away my sense that anything is possible. My luxury of time. I’m aware that the clock is ticking in a way I wasn’t before. I’m aware of loss, past losses and future ones.’
I enjoyed this interview and was surprised by the haunting pets and the thing about the dog door. Wow. And yes it is funny how our perspectives change. I used to think my age was so super elderly but now that I'm here I feel so much younger. Although, I do pull the age card out now and then when I need an excuse for something I don't want to do....
This was so beautiful to read. I am starting a new job in a few weeks and I am low key agonizing over how to present myself to people, to learn about the people I'll manage organically, to ask questions, and to be curious about how to do a whole new job. And, as a former manager once said (many times) - it's just work! It's not rocket science. Reading RL's responses here, I'm reminded of the value of deep thought and reflection AND the liberation of just going with the flow. Thank you!!
I identify with this woman A LOT. Also lost my mom when she was 66 (I was 42). Also had a difficult 1st marriage that isolated me (emotionally mostly) from my original family. And so on. I am 56 now and have yet to publish a novel (although did publish a children's book a long time ago, unfortunately about Lance Armstrong). I live in the desert and dream about living in the mountains...
Just ordered your book from my local indie, R.L.! I loved this interview and related so strongly to so much of it. To choose just one thing: I too had an Orthodox Jewish education and have had to figure out my own relationship to Judaism as an adult. (Also: I'm so sorry about your mom's death; what a horrid shock that must have been.)
What a great set of answers here -- as I'm contemplating some redirections of my energies in life, I love to read about the example R.L. sets of engaging with humans, with nature and movement, and with art. I also loved the friend's reported remark: "You must be one of those human beings." What a lovely thing to say, or to hear, in the midst of rumination.
I liked this. Being a writer and getting ready to fly from the mountains of Colorado to Virginia to celebrate my 80th birthday next month with my three kids and their families it made me think back to when I was 62 and still going a hundred miles an hour. All I can say is there is a lot of living left to do. Now I find myself feeling a bit rushed to get everything done that I want. Thanks for the good read this early and very chilly Colorado morning.
Happy birthday next month, Susan!
Happy 80th! What a wonderful way to celebrate.
Those “mysterious aches and pains”. Where do they come from? Where are they going? Does it matter? They disappear when we’re writing. All things become possible. A bat mitzvah at your age? Why not?
Oh, I've heard of late-in-life bar/bat/b'nai mitzvahs!
Yes, those aches do disappear when we're writing. Another reason to keep at it. Thanks!
Thank you for this window on your journey. “You must be one of those humans,” made me smile — out loud. It is the perfect perspective for us inherently imperfect creatures.
Writing and reading are two of our best “things.” And yes, each day a gift.
Thanks for reading this and sharing your thoughts.
Love this...Loving the humans and animals in my life, writing and spending time in nature....really resonates with me. That's what makes us feel young for our age!
I couldn't agree more about those things making us feel young.
So nice to read as my next birthday is 62. I agree about enjoying a bat mitzvah. I remember going my best friend’s bat mitzvah when we were 12. I love that you’re not planning hair color or any surgery. My hair is completely gray, people are saying I look like my mom.
I see my mom in my face, too, and in my sisters' faces. It just make me want to spend even more time with them.
Wonderful responses! I say this only partly because I could have written some of the responses about being older. I, too, am concerned I'll die before my novel is complete. I think when younger people see me, the first quality they register is "old." Sometimes, for split seconds, I see one of my departed cats whisk by or hear a particular meow or even feel a paw stroke my cheek.
I also see Ari "whisk" by, pun intended? Regardless, that's how it is for me, too.
Wonderful interview, I am eager to read R.L.’s books. The story of how her mother’s death moved her to not delay her writing dreams, that touched me (my own mother, biggest champion, died last year; I
Think how happy she’d be if I were to realize my dream of publishing a novel). And this resonated too: ‘Aging has taken away my sense that anything is possible. My luxury of time. I’m aware that the clock is ticking in a way I wasn’t before. I’m aware of loss, past losses and future ones.’
Sorry for your loss, Amy.
I enjoyed this interview and was surprised by the haunting pets and the thing about the dog door. Wow. And yes it is funny how our perspectives change. I used to think my age was so super elderly but now that I'm here I feel so much younger. Although, I do pull the age card out now and then when I need an excuse for something I don't want to do....
This was so beautiful to read. I am starting a new job in a few weeks and I am low key agonizing over how to present myself to people, to learn about the people I'll manage organically, to ask questions, and to be curious about how to do a whole new job. And, as a former manager once said (many times) - it's just work! It's not rocket science. Reading RL's responses here, I'm reminded of the value of deep thought and reflection AND the liberation of just going with the flow. Thank you!!
I’m so glad the piece was helpful to you. Good luck with the new job!
Thank you!!
You must be one of those human beings. Loved this interview. Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed it, Sylvania.
I identify with this woman A LOT. Also lost my mom when she was 66 (I was 42). Also had a difficult 1st marriage that isolated me (emotionally mostly) from my original family. And so on. I am 56 now and have yet to publish a novel (although did publish a children's book a long time ago, unfortunately about Lance Armstrong). I live in the desert and dream about living in the mountains...
I'm sorry you lost your mom at a similar age. I often visit the Sonoran desert (in the winter!) and love that, too.
If you’re ever in the Coachella Valley let’s have coffee! :)
Just ordered your book from my local indie, R.L.! I loved this interview and related so strongly to so much of it. To choose just one thing: I too had an Orthodox Jewish education and have had to figure out my own relationship to Judaism as an adult. (Also: I'm so sorry about your mom's death; what a horrid shock that must have been.)
Thanks so much for ordering the book. I hope you enjoy it. "Figure out your own relationship with Judaism." That's just what I feel.
I enjoyed reading this piece. Books, nature, friends, family, and love of animals, make a rich and full life.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for spending time with it.
What a great set of answers here -- as I'm contemplating some redirections of my energies in life, I love to read about the example R.L. sets of engaging with humans, with nature and movement, and with art. I also loved the friend's reported remark: "You must be one of those human beings." What a lovely thing to say, or to hear, in the midst of rumination.
Good luck with your redirections. I'm so glad you enjoyed the interview.
What a fabulous human to highlight! Now I have the desire to read a new person’s books! Thanks, Sari.